In a peculiar situation regarding a Grant

Gus Ivey

Hi All,

First of my situation is slightly dodgy so I am not sure if this is the place to discuss it but I really need information on this.

Ok so I was living outside of Ireland for three years. A chance for sponsorship in country abroad feel through at the last minute and I was forced to come back to Ireland after a couple of months. This led to the need to make alternative plans back in Ireland.

I came back in July 2013 and decided to sign on to the social welfare and try to find employment. I also applied for an 18 hour a week third level access course which would be starting in mid-September. I got accepted to this course but because I was not entitled to Back to Education Allowance, I decided to stay on the jobseekers allowance but my intention was to continue to look for work - which I never found.

I have just completed the course and waiting to hear back from colleges I applied with earlier this year. Obviously, I am looking to get a grant with SUSI but I am not sure where I stand.

A part of the application asks what my situation was during January 2014. I kind of considered myself unemployed because I was actively seeking employment, but there is an option for student, which is effectively what I was.

Another question asks about any details of courses I undertook. I am thinking about maybe leaving these details off my grant application as I feel I may have a better chance of getting the grant.

My dilemma is:
Either be truthful to SUSI, but then risk social welfare finding out that I was receiving Jobseekers when maybe I shouldn't have (even though social welfare were offering me courses during the year which I had to refuse)

OR

Lie to SUSI, then risk not getting the grant for being untruthful.

Annasopra

Hang on

If the course was part time then there is no issue. You can legitimately claim jobseekers and do a part time course.

The only issue I see here is that to be eligible for a grant you have to have been resident in Ireland for 3 of the last 5 years!

Gus Ivey

Thanks for the reply...

Regarding the 3 out of the last 5 years, I have contacted SUSI and they said once I can produce one document (Utility Bill, Bank Statement etc) from the years 2009-2014 I will qualify. I left Ireland In June 2010 and returned in August 2013, so I will be able to produce documents from 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014. So that is no problem.

The course was 18 hours a week but I don't think it was classed as part time. It was Monday - Friday and lasting 3-4 hours each day.

I have been called in to about three Social welfare meetings during the year for one on one meetings in order to aid me finding work but I have had to keep the study thing quiet incase they cut me off of the dole. If that was the case I would be forced to drop out, and I would be left with nothing.

dharma200

If you were formally unemployed say that.
Also I wouldn't be posting that much personal information online. Leave out the course.